Enrique expects Suarez backlash

16 February 2013 02:47

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Liverpool defender Jose Enrique believes striker Luis Suarez will be even more fired up by his failure to find the net in the past three matches.

Manager Brendan Rodgers felt the 26-year-old could have had a hat-trick before half-time in the Reds' 2-0 Europa League last-32 first-leg defeat to Zenit St Petersburg in Russia on Thursday but Suarez was not at his sharpest, highlighted when he rounded goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev but could not get his shot away and then backheeled wide Raheem Sterling's cross from close range.

"Luis Suarez is a winner and he likes to win every game," said Enrique. "Of course he was really disappointed for the misses he had on Thursday but he is a key player and one of the best strikers in the world. Like everyone he is still a person who has mistakes and Thursday was not his day. But all the chances he has he makes all on his own."

Having scored nine goals in as many games the striker has now gone three matches without scoring, his second-longest run without a goal in what has been his best season for Liverpool so far.

It may not seem a lot but his goals kept the Reds afloat earlier in the season and the burden on him was eased by the arrival of Â£12million signing Daniel Sturridge - ineligible in Europe - who has contributed four in six since his January move from Chelsea.

Sturridge is expected to return to the starting line-up for Sunday's visit of Rodgers' former club Swansea.

His presence will be needed as in their past two matches, having been beaten at home by West Brom on Monday, Liverpool have not taken any of the numerous chances they have created.

It is a familiar frustrating story which has been played out over the past couple of season.

"It is happening to us a lot this year. We had our chances to score, like a lot of games this season," added Enrique.

"I think we are doing well. The problem is, in the last three games (including the 2-2 draw at Manchester City) we have been trying to score goals and had chances to score and then we have had mistakes. We have to improve in defence and in attack do what we are doing and hopefully we will have better luck."